What does it really take to grow a construction or trades company from a one-person show to a 90-person team—while treating people well?
On Your Business Unleashed, host Clayton Achen talks with Taylor Ross, founder of TDR Electric, one of the Lower Mainland’s leading electrical contractors. In just 10 years, TDR has scaled into:
- Large commercial and multifamily construction
- EV charging infrastructure and retrofits
- Service and maintenance across the Lower Mainland
At the core of that growth? A bold vision and a people-first culture.
From Side Hustle to Serious Business
Taylor started like a lot of trades entrepreneurs:
- Working two weeks on, two weeks off up north
- Doing service calls on his days off
- Quoting jobs at night
- Teaching himself websites and SEO
- Posting Craigslist ads to get the phone ringing
A major break came when a real estate investment firm hired him to do recurring unit renovations. That steady work allowed him to:
- Hire his first and second employees
- Finally get off the tools
- Focus on quoting, relationships, and business development
That decision—to move from electrician to entrepreneur—set the stage for everything that came after.
The Vision: 250–50–0
As TDR grew, Taylor realized hustle wasn’t enough. With the help of a leadership coach, he landed on a simple, sticky vision: 250–50–0
- 250 people
- $50M in annual revenue
- 0 layoffs
The “0 layoffs” piece is the most radical. In an industry built on cycles and gaps between projects, TDR is committed to:
- Keeping people employed through slow periods
- Using strong financial management to bridge gaps
- Bringing staff into the shop to reset, organize, and prepare between jobs
It’s not just talking—this vision drives how they run the numbers and make decisions.
The Four Pillars That Drive TDR Electric
To support that vision, TDR operates on four key pillars:
1. Decisions Based on the Vision
Every choice—hiring, tools, clients—gets filtered through 250–50–0. If it moves the company toward that destination, they do it. If it doesn’t, they don’t.
2. Systems-Based Thinking
TDR builds repeatable systems so they can deliver consistent quality on a scale. They’re not afraid to say no when a client request falls way outside those systems.
3. Decentralized Decision-Making
Leaders in the field don’t wait for head office to approve every move. With clear vision and systems, foremen and managers are empowered to own decisions.
4. Care for People and Customers
Relationships come first—internally and externally. TDR invests in face time, team events, and strong client relationships, so people feel seen, supported, and proud of where they work.
Three Big Lessons for Construction Owners Hitting a Ceiling
If you’re stuck around that $5–6M mark and can’t seem to break through, Taylor’s experience points to three key moves:
1. Hire and Promote Before You’re Desperate
Don’t wait until you’re drowning in work. Promote that future project managers or operations lead a little earlier than what feels comfortable, so you have the capacity to take on bigger projects.
2. Build Real Relationships
Strong relationships with clients bring repeat work. Strong relationships with your team keep your best people from walking when the market heats up.
3. Get Outside Eyes on Your Business
Leadership coaching, solid bookkeeping, and a fractional CFO helped TDR:
- See blind spots
- Understand their numbers
- Align the leadership team around a clear path forward
When you’re stuck day-to-day, an outside perspective can be transformational.
Want to See What This Looks Like in Real Life?
Listen to the full “Your Business Unleashed” episode with Taylor Ross for the complete story and more nuance behind each decision.
If you’re a construction or trades owner who wants a bigger business and a stronger team—not just a busier job—this is an episode you don’t want to miss.